Community college would be a ‘win-win’

October 15, 2012

Dr. Walter Asonevich, president of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, told a group of educators, business leaders, politicians and concerned citizens last week that transferable (college) education and job training could be offered by his organization in Mifflin County at an affordable rate.

In fact, part of said program could be offered in the local high school that would allow a student to earn an associate's degree by the time the student graduates. These credits transfer to almost any college in the country at a fraction of the cost, and could be available as early as next fall.

We applaud the efforts of the numerous people locally who have worked diligently over a period of many years to bring this opportunity to the area. We urge them to press forward to make this a reality. Area residents can help, too, by supporting the effort and asking their legislators to support it as well.

Asonevich said 70 to 80 percent of enrollees in a community college are first generation college students. At the meeting last week, Mifflin County School District Superintendent James Estep said, "Providing those individuals with access to higher education drives the community economically and strengthens the workforce."